Image Credit: TN General Assembly
The Tennessee Conservative [By Paula Gomes] –
A bill that enhances the input of Tennesseans at public meetings passed in the House Public Service Subcommittee on Wednesday.
The vote was 3 to 1, with Representative Gabby Salinas (D-Memphis-District 96) present but not voting and Representative Iris Rudder (R-Winchester-District 39) voting against. Representatives Jeff Burkhart (R-Clarksville-District 75), Jake McCalmon (R-Franklin-District 63), and Todd Warner (R-Chapel Hill-District 92) voted to send the bill onto the House State and Local Government Committee next week.
Sponsored by Representative Elaine Davis (R-Knoxville-District 18), House Bill 0022 (HB0022) aims to expand the first amendment rights of the public at open meetings and is an expansion of legislation that Davis carried last year.
Prior to the passage of her legislation in 2024, state law did not mandate that governing bodies set aside a time in their meetings for the public to speak.
While last year’s bill codified the right for Tennesseans to speak at all open meetings, it only guaranteed their right to speak about items on the agenda. HB0022 expands on what citizens may say, allowing public comment on “any matter germane to the jurisdiction of the governing body, regardless of whether the matter is listed on the agenda for the meeting.”
During yesterday’s subcommittee meeting, Davis was asked to clarify what topics members of the public could speak on. Davis affirmed that speakers will only be permitted to speak on topics that are under the authority of the board or governing body. If it is a subject that the body can take no action on, then the speaker would not be given time during the meeting.
Davis also reiterated that boards and governing bodies still have discretion as to the number of speakers allowed in any given meeting, and how much time each is given.
Any Tennessean in support of the expansion of first amendment rights can contact committee members ahead of the upcoming vote. The bill has been placed on the committee’s calendar for March 5th, 2025.
Contact information for members of the House State and Local Government Committee can be found below.
Rep.john.crawford@capitol.tn.gov, rep.dave.wright@capitol.tn.gov, rep.rush.bricken@capitol.tn.gov, rep.jeff.burkhart@capitol.tn.gov, rep.ed.butler@capitol.tn.gov, rep.michele.carringer@capitol.tn.gov, rep.jesse.chism@capitol.tn.gov, rep.vincent.dixie@capitol.tn.gov, rep.rick.eldridge@capitol.tn.gov, rep.dan.howell@capitol.tn.gov, rep.tom.leatherwood@capitol.tn.gov, rep.mary.littleton@capitol.tn.gov, rep.greg.martin@capitol.tn.gov, rep.jake.mccalmon@capitol.tn.gov, rep.larry.miller@capitol.tn.gov, rep.bo.mitchell@capitol.tn.gov, rep.jerome.moon@capitol.tn.gov, rep.jason.powell@capitol.tn.gov, rep.dennis.powers@capitol.tn.gov, rep.tim.rudd@capitol.tn.gov, rep.iris.rudder@capitol.tn.gov, rep.gabby.salinas@capitol.tn.gov, rep.todd.warner@capitol.tn.gov
About the Author: Paula Gomes is a Tennessee resident and reporter for The Tennessee Conservative. You can reach Paula at paula@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
